Investigation of the Effects of the QBO and the Solar Cycle on the Extratropical Atmosphere

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Recent results show a sun/climate relationship subject to modulation by equatorial stratospheric winds, viz. the quasibiennial oscillation (QBO). These results show responses of the atmospheric meteorological parameters to solar activity from the mesosphere down to the troposphere seem to be dependent on the QBO phase. This relationship will be examined in the context of atmospheric variables with emphasis on the link between the QBO and the extratropical atmosphere. This involves a two-fold effort: the investigation of the statistical significant of the solar/QBO/weather (climate) relationship, and the study of dynamical links between tropical and extratropical variability. The statistical testing will involve the use of data from the surface to 10 mb, in all seasons. Particular attention will be paid to details such as definition of the QBO phase, selection of averaging periods, and possibilities of QBO modulation in either or both QBO phases. The investigation of dynamical links will involve examining atmospheric data from the surface to 1mb for evidence of QBO modulation of the extratropical atmosphere. Since a mechanism for the QBO/extratropics connection may involve modulation of planetary wave propagation, emphasis will be given to the propagation of planetary waves and their interaction with the mean flow.